Monticello has no traffic signal, but it does have plenty of stairs. Restored antebellum and Greek Revival homes line its in-town streets, including the 1831 Wirick-Simmons House, and many of these older houses have full staircases to a second floor. Out past town, toward Wacissa and Waukeenah, the picture changes to farmland and widely spaced single-story homes.
Those two kinds of houses call for different solutions. A tall staircase in a plantation-era home is a different job from a few porch steps at a rural ranch house. This page walks through what fits where in Jefferson County and which local offices can help with the cost.
Monticello's historic houses reflect the county's plantation-era past. When a stair runs straight from bottom to top, a straight stair lift is usually the simplest and least costly option. The rail mounts to the stair treads, not the wall, so original plaster and trim can stay as they are.
If a staircase turns at a landing or curves, a curved stair lift with a custom-bent rail is the usual answer. We measure each stair on site before anything is ordered, since no two older staircases are quite alike.
Much of the county is rural farmland, and the homes out there tend to be single-story. Inside, that often means no stair lift is needed at all. The trouble spot is usually the entry: steps up to a porch or a raised front door.
For those steps, an outdoor stair lift built for weather can work, and for someone using a wheelchair a vertical platform lift may make more sense. Split-level homes are another case, with short flights between levels where a short straight lift often fits. Low-rise buildings with shared stairs depend on what the owner or association allows.
Around 63.7% own their homes, which matters because owners can usually approve an installation on their own.
Many families here also commute to Tallahassee, since the county works as a bedroom community for the city. Adult children who live nearby often handle the first call and the home visit.
The main public route that lists stair lifts here is the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program, through its home accessibility adaptations benefit. It requires a nursing facility level of care and has income and asset limits, so the first step is a call to the Elder Helpline at (866) 467-4624.
Veterans should know that the VA HISA grant does not cover stair lifts. The Jefferson County Veteran's Affairs office at the R.J. Bailar Public Library, 375 S. Water St., Monticello, can be reached at (850) 464-8456 to talk through other VA benefits, including prosthetics.
Other statewide options to ask about include the FAAST New Horizon Loan Program and the Florida Homestead + Senior Additional Homestead Exemption. Details on each are listed below or available from the offices named here.
A Medicaid long-term-care waiver for people 65+ or adults 18+ with a qualifying disability who need a nursing facility level of care, and it does cover stair lifts, with amounts set by each managed care plan. Call the Elder Helpline at (866) 467-4624 to start.
The area agency on aging that handles intake and referrals for Jefferson County residents 60+ or with disabilities; the source does not mention stair lifts as a direct benefit. Reach it at (850) 488-0055, or ask about the local service point at the Jefferson Council on Aging.
A VA home-improvement benefit for veterans with a qualifying disability, but the official fact sheet excludes stair lifts and porch lifts. The county veterans office at (850) 464-8456 can help with other VA options.
Older adults
2414 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, 32308
Veterans
Jefferson County R.J. Bailar Public Library, 375 S. Water St., Monticello, 32344
It can. The SMMC LTC program lists stair lifts under home accessibility adaptations for people who qualify for nursing facility level of care. For 2026 the income limit is about $2,982 a month for an individual and the asset limit is $2,000, per medicaidplanningassistance.org. Call (866) 467-4624 to ask about an assessment.
No. The VA HISA fact sheet excludes stair glides and porch lifts. The Jefferson County Veteran's Affairs office in Monticello, at (850) 464-8456, can review other benefits.
Advantage Aging Solutions serves residents 60 and older but also people with disabilities. SMMC LTC is open to adults 18+ with a qualifying disability, so age alone does not rule someone out.
The closest VA clinics are the Sergeant Ernest I. "Boots" Thomas VA Clinic in Tallahassee and the Perry VA Clinic in Perry.
The rail fastens to the stair treads, not the walls, which keeps changes to an older home small. We look at each staircase in person to plan the mounting.
Start with Advantage Aging Solutions at (850) 488-0055, 2414 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, or the Elder Helpline at 1-866-467-4624 or 1-800-AGE-LINE.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
